Playwriting Workshop

Facilitated by Kira Rockwell

“Every script, every new play is a theory. I don’t know if it’s going to work, which means a writer has to go in like a tailor, and listen to the actors and say, trim this more, or give her more. If it is perfectly tailored for the first cast it will be universal.”
— Playwright and Educator, Paula Vogel

Course Description:

In this virtual seven-week course, you will get to sharpen your craft, learn revision techniques, and hear your work read aloud by your classmates for constructive criticism.

Each week, the instructor will share a short craft lesson, facilitate group discussions, and guide you through writing exercises with skill focused prompts. There will be some outside assignments, including reading plays and short craft essays.

By week three, we will transition into workshop where you will have the opportunity to hear your work read aloud and receive on-the-spot feedback. Using the Liz Lerman Critical Response Process, workshops will aim to nurture the growth of a play in early development. Also, your instructor will organize one-on-one meetings for extensive feedback, as well as individual time to dig into you as an artist.

You should expect to leave with a polished draft of your play in progress. The course will culminate with a session focused on the business of playwriting. The instructor will share professional knowledge about the development of a new play, the submission process, artistic statements, and equip you with resources to share your play for future development opportunities.

This class is intended for playwrights at all levels who are interested in honing the theatrical form in the community of others.

Course Details:

7 Weeks, 6 Sessions
Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm est

November 4th through
December 16th
No class on November 25th

Remote (Live Zoom Meetings)

Limited to 8 students
Commitment Level: Medium

Registration: $300.00
(payment plans available)

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email at kirarockwell@gmail.com

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Course Testimonials

  • “The class was a well of inspiration. Kira alternated between reading short scenes, having us discuss them and then providing generative interesting prompts for us to dig into with free writing time. I wrote 1200 words, felt inspired, learned more about my characters and setting, and enjoyed hearing what others had generated. Kira provided thoughtful unique feedback to each student. No improvements necessary! I would jump at a chance to take a class with Kira again.”

    Former Student

  • “Kira always made space for us to tell our stories from our own cultural perspective. She also made sure to include diverse points of view in the readings and materials we discussed in class.”

    Former Student

  • “Kira is an amazing instructor. She did a great job of building a sense of community in the classroom right off the bat. I felt comfortable from the first few minutes of the first session. I learned a ton of invaluable material in such a short amount of time. The class is well structured with each session building and expanding upon the previous one.”

    Former Student

  • “Kira is a great teacher- adaptive, thoughtful, playful and her advice was very helpful. I definitely felt encouraged by her- what a wonderful class!”

    Former Student

  • “This class was awesome! Kira was very well prepared and thoughtful about how to get the most out of our time together. I left with a really great toolkit to continue exploring playwriting."

    Former Student

Meet Your Instructor:

Kira Rockwell is a playwright and educator. Currently she teaches Dramatic Writing for the Stage and Screen at Georgia State University. Previously with Brandeis University, Wheaton College, as well as theaters, and writing centers across New England.

She is an Artist Fellow in Dramatic Writing with the Mass Cultural Council, a Recipient of Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting Award, an Elliot Norton Nominee, and more.

Selected plays include OH TO BE PURE AGAIN (Actor's Express); THE TRAGIC ECSTASY OF GIRLHOOD (Boston Playwrights’ Theatre); and WITH MY EYES SHUT (Original Works Publishing). Her work has been developed with The Kennedy Center, NNPN, Great Plains Theatre Commons, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, among others. Rockwell holds a BFA in Theatre Performance and an MFA in Playwriting from Boston University.

Through a trauma-informed, healing-centered lens, she aims to nurture communal spaces that disrupt passivity and empower agency.

My Teaching Philosophy:

Supporting other playwrights in their artistic journey and careers, is one of my greatest joys. My expertise as a teacher is rooted in trauma-informed writing practices, character development, dramatic structure, cultivating theatricality, and sharply reflecting back areas of great potential. You will be met with a nurturing approach that balances encouragement, professionalism, strategy, humor and passion. I'm a huge nerd when it comes to the theatre so I'll probably curate a reading list of plays just for you as well as share a plethora of professional resources for playwrights, from submission deadlines to podcasts. My feedback is rooted in Liz Lerman's Critical Response Process, which means to say, my feedback is intentionally structured to leave the writer eager and motivated to get back to work. Many of my previous students have gone on to win fellowships, acceptance into graduate school, receive readings, and fully realized productions of their work. Most importantly, my students have continued forward more confident in articulating their truest and bravest selves on the page and stage.

For all inquiries, guest artist, and resume requests,
please contact me directly at:
kirarockwell@gmail.com